EDD ordered a second medical exam for my SDI claim - is this normal?
I've been on disability leave for severe back issues since February (herniated disc). Last week I got this letter from EDD saying I need to go see another doctor for an 'Independent Medical Examination' so they can get a second opinion about my condition. It totally caught me off guard since my treating doctor has been submitting all the required certification forms on time. Has anyone else experienced this? Is EDD randomly checking claims or do they think something's wrong with mine? I've been on SDI for about 10 weeks now and was planning to return to work part-time next month. Really stressed about what this means - will my benefits stop if I don't go? The appointment is scheduled for next Thursday at some medical office I've never heard of that's like 45 minutes from my house.
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Tasia Synder
Yes, this is completely normal and happens randomly. EDD calls these IMEs (Independent Medical Exams) and they do them to verify your disability claim is legitimate. You absolutely MUST attend or they will cut off your benefits. I had one last year during my pregnancy disability claim. They're just making sure you're actually disabled according to their standards.
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Natalia Stone
AuthorThanks for confirming! Did they ask you a lot of questions during your exam? I'm worried they're going to think I'm faking something because I'm having a good day when I go in. Some days my back is much worse than others.
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Selena Bautista
this happened to me too!! i got so paranoid thinking theyd cut me off. the doctor was actually pretty nice but he made me do all these movement tests and asked like 50 questions. my regular doc was mad they didnt trust his opinion lol
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Mohamed Anderson
They did this to my mom when she had her shoulder injury too. The EDD doctor ended up extending her disability period longer than her regular doctor had! So sometimes these IMEs can actually work in your favor depending on what they find.
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Ellie Perry
This is part of EDD's standard review process for SDI claims, especially ones that extend beyond 8 weeks. They're required by law to periodically verify disabilities through their own medical consultants. Make sure you bring all your medical records, imaging results (MRIs, X-rays), and a list of medications to the exam. Be honest about your good days and bad days - they understand that many conditions fluctuate. Do NOT cancel or reschedule unless absolutely necessary. If you miss this appointment without proper notification, EDD can suspend your benefits immediately. Also, don't be surprised if the doctor spends only 10-15 minutes examining you - this is typical for these evaluations.
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Natalia Stone
AuthorThank you for the detailed advice! I'll definitely bring all my records and MRI results. Should I contact my regular doctor to send anything to this IME doctor beforehand?
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Ellie Perry
No need to have your doctor send records ahead of time - just bring copies yourself. The IME doctor should already have received basic information from EDD about your claim. Focus on describing your limitations honestly, especially how your condition affects your ability to perform your specific job duties.
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Landon Morgan
I went through this last year and it was SO STRESSFUL!!! The doctor barely looked at me and then wrote up this report that EDD used to try to cut off my benefits early! I had to appeal and it was a NIGHTMARE. Just be careful what you say in there - they're looking for any reason to stop paying you!!!
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Teresa Boyd
This isn't entirely accurate. While EDD does conduct these exams to verify legitimate disability, they're not actively trying to deny valid claims. The vast majority of SDI claims with proper medical documentation continue without issue after an IME. In 2025, about 92% of claims that undergo IMEs continue receiving benefits. The system isn't perfect, but spreading fear doesn't help anyone.
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Lourdes Fox
Have you tried calling EDD to ask more about why they scheduled this exam? Maybe there's something specific they're concerned about. I would want to know before going in.
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Natalia Stone
AuthorI tried calling them 3 times this week but couldn't get through - just got the automated message saying call volume is too high. So frustrating! The letter doesn't give any specific reason for the exam.
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Bruno Simmons
If you're struggling to reach EDD by phone, you might want to try Claimyr. I was in the same boat with an urgent question about my IME and couldn't get through for days. Claimyr connected me to an EDD agent in about 25 minutes instead of spending hours redialing. They have a video showing how it works here: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd and their website is claimyr.com. Definitely helped me get answers about my IME situation when I was freaking out about it.
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Selena Bautista
just wondering but what happens if the IME doctor disagrees with your regular doctor? who wins that fight lol
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Tasia Synder
Unfortunately, in most cases, EDD gives more weight to their IME doctor's opinion since they're the ones paying the benefits. If there's a major disagreement, they typically side with the IME doctor. That said, you can appeal their decision and submit additional medical evidence if needed. I've seen people win those appeals with strong documentation.
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Lourdes Fox
I think this happens more often with back injuries because they can be complicated to diagnose and treat. My sister-in-law has fibromyalgia and they made her do three different IMEs during her claim period. Just be ready to explain your limitations clearly.
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Natalia Stone
Update: I went to the IME today and it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared! The doctor was actually pretty thorough - spent about 30 minutes with me, reviewed my MRI results, had me do various mobility tests, and asked detailed questions about my pain levels and limitations. He seemed to agree with my regular doctor's assessment and said he'd submit his report to EDD within 48 hours. Thanks everyone for the advice and support!
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Tasia Synder
That's great news! Most IMEs are pretty straightforward when you have legitimate medical documentation. Thanks for coming back to update us - it helps others who might be anxious about the same situation.
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Selena Bautista
yay!! so glad it went well! now u can stop stressing about it :
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Grant Vikers
Glad to hear everything worked out well with your IME! For anyone else facing this situation, it's worth noting that EDD typically schedules these exams when claims extend beyond certain timeframes or when they need additional medical clarification. The 10-week mark you mentioned is pretty common for triggering an IME review. The fact that you were already planning to return to work part-time next month probably worked in your favor too - it shows you're actively working toward recovery rather than trying to extend benefits unnecessarily. Hope your transition back to work goes smoothly!
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